What more could you need?
In support of our ever-growing FP MART collection — culled from Makers, Artists, Repurposers, and Artisans — today we’re bringing you a Q&A with Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch General Store.
HOW HATCH BEGAN…
In 2005 I started my event design company — Hatch Creative Studio — after working as a Visual Manager at Anthropologie for 4 years. I knew my company would have many different focuses over the years as my passions took me in all different directions. I wanted a name that evoked creativity but also could maintain its meaning no matter what I was doing design-wise. Our tagline — “fresh ideas from a cage-free thinking environment” — focused mostly on floral and event design for weddings, brand activations and private events. Our mission was to create events that were thought-provoking, whimsical and inspiring.
MY FIRST PEACE SIGN…
About 6 years ago I had the privilege of working as the creative director for a Vermont-based music festival. Part of my job was to create large-scale art installations, and it was here where I created my first peace sign. It was about 40’ and made of yellow pinwheels installed right on the side of the mountain. You could see it from almost everywhere. I wanted to create a place for people to connect while creating something integral to the festival itself. This peace sign is also where I met my now fiancé who was part of the main production and build-out team.
HOW HATCH BEGAN…
In 2005 I started my event design company — Hatch Creative Studio — after working as a Visual Manager at Anthropologie for 4 years. I knew my company would have many different focuses over the years as my passions took me in all different directions. I wanted a name that evoked creativity but also could maintain its meaning no matter what I was doing design-wise. Our tagline — “fresh ideas from a cage-free thinking environment” — focused mostly on floral and event design for weddings, brand activations and private events. Our mission was to create events that were thought-provoking, whimsical and inspiring.
MY FIRST PEACE SIGN…
About 6 years ago I had the privilege of working as the creative director for a Vermont-based music festival. Part of my job was to create large-scale art installations, and it was here where I created my first peace sign. It was about 40’ and made of yellow pinwheels installed right on the side of the mountain. You could see it from almost everywhere. I wanted to create a place for people to connect while creating something integral to the festival itself. This peace sign is also where I met my now fiancé who was part of the main production and build-out team.
BRINGING PEACE TO NYC…
I happen to live on one of the biggest trick or treating streets in NYC. I also live in a landmark building in Chelsea, NY where “Twas the Night” was said to have been written. As a display artist with a fiancé who also loves installations, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to captivate our community during the holidays. For our first big install, we set up a very ghosty Halloween display, with ghosts hanging out of all the windows and off the roof. We then moved straight into Holiday décor, printing “Twas the Night” in its entirety. This is when we introduced the first peace sign — 10’ tall — on our building, which marked the beginning of the #peacelovechelsea project. It’s now been about 3 years, and about 9 or 10 seasonal peace displays later, and this peace sign has become a place to meet, tell stories, enjoy the neighborhood and be thankful. It has really become such a huge part of the community. During the pandemic, it became a vision of hope and perseverance for those missing real connection. Many people asked us how they could bring a piece of peace home with them.
PIVOTING-THE CREATION OF HATCH GENERAL STORE…
I teach a few classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology: Product Presentation/Window Design, Experiential Design/Brand Activations, and a Business class for creatives. It was while I was teaching the Business class — remotely — that Hatch General Store was born. One of the projects assigned involved creating a small business plan and detailing its entire process. I was desperately missing connection and creativity, and so I “took” the assignment. Everything felt so negative and dark during quarantine, and I wanted to create an online experience to spread some happiness and push myself to start making again. I also wanted to provide new opportunities to my students. I started HGS with the first student I ever met, 6 years ago — Karina Grossman. Karina helps me run the company and also is one of our makers. She does all the embroidery. All my models are former students and I plan to expand the shop to promote student designs. Coming soon. HGS is an extension of Hatch Creative Studio and a way for me to reach more people. HGS will be donating a portion of its proceeds every year to support cancer research, animal rescue, food insecurity, and grief relief — just another way we can spread peace and happiness.
NYC-WOODSTOCK…
I split my time between NYC and Woodstock, NY. I grew up coming to Woodstock and love the creative energy and being in the mountains. I went to college in Vermont and lived in Colorado for a while. Hatch General Store is pretty authentic to who I am. A little bit city, a little bit mountain girl, and a little bit hippie at heart.
WREATH PROCESS…
How I make the peace wreaths...I have wood bases that I use as the structure, then wrap preserved moss with wire around that which creates my base. From here I visualize a theme, sometimes directly related to what we have done in NYC, and other times just what’s inspiring me at that moment. I then layer in small details to bring that story to life. These wreaths make for great interior wall art and can be hung outside in a well covered area.
WORDS TO LIVE BY…
You don’t have to have a design background to have fun making things. You don’t even have to know what you’re doing. A lot of people tell me they are not creative. I always say the same thing: everyone can be creative — you just need the supplies to start something. Go to your local art store and buy a few things and just play around. Even if you decide to fingerpaint. You can also just go outside and grab natural elements. I can often be found gathering rocks and twigs to make peace signs on the lawn. Being creative and making things can be so good for your soul. Just don’t worry about the outcome. Enjoy the process.
I happen to live on one of the biggest trick or treating streets in NYC. I also live in a landmark building in Chelsea, NY where “Twas the Night” was said to have been written. As a display artist with a fiancé who also loves installations, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to captivate our community during the holidays. For our first big install, we set up a very ghosty Halloween display, with ghosts hanging out of all the windows and off the roof. We then moved straight into Holiday décor, printing “Twas the Night” in its entirety. This is when we introduced the first peace sign — 10’ tall — on our building, which marked the beginning of the #peacelovechelsea project. It’s now been about 3 years, and about 9 or 10 seasonal peace displays later, and this peace sign has become a place to meet, tell stories, enjoy the neighborhood and be thankful. It has really become such a huge part of the community. During the pandemic, it became a vision of hope and perseverance for those missing real connection. Many people asked us how they could bring a piece of peace home with them.
PIVOTING-THE CREATION OF HATCH GENERAL STORE…
I teach a few classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology: Product Presentation/Window Design, Experiential Design/Brand Activations, and a Business class for creatives. It was while I was teaching the Business class — remotely — that Hatch General Store was born. One of the projects assigned involved creating a small business plan and detailing its entire process. I was desperately missing connection and creativity, and so I “took” the assignment. Everything felt so negative and dark during quarantine, and I wanted to create an online experience to spread some happiness and push myself to start making again. I also wanted to provide new opportunities to my students. I started HGS with the first student I ever met, 6 years ago — Karina Grossman. Karina helps me run the company and also is one of our makers. She does all the embroidery. All my models are former students and I plan to expand the shop to promote student designs. Coming soon. HGS is an extension of Hatch Creative Studio and a way for me to reach more people. HGS will be donating a portion of its proceeds every year to support cancer research, animal rescue, food insecurity, and grief relief — just another way we can spread peace and happiness.
NYC-WOODSTOCK…
I split my time between NYC and Woodstock, NY. I grew up coming to Woodstock and love the creative energy and being in the mountains. I went to college in Vermont and lived in Colorado for a while. Hatch General Store is pretty authentic to who I am. A little bit city, a little bit mountain girl, and a little bit hippie at heart.
WREATH PROCESS…
How I make the peace wreaths...I have wood bases that I use as the structure, then wrap preserved moss with wire around that which creates my base. From here I visualize a theme, sometimes directly related to what we have done in NYC, and other times just what’s inspiring me at that moment. I then layer in small details to bring that story to life. These wreaths make for great interior wall art and can be hung outside in a well covered area.
WORDS TO LIVE BY…
You don’t have to have a design background to have fun making things. You don’t even have to know what you’re doing. A lot of people tell me they are not creative. I always say the same thing: everyone can be creative — you just need the supplies to start something. Go to your local art store and buy a few things and just play around. Even if you decide to fingerpaint. You can also just go outside and grab natural elements. I can often be found gathering rocks and twigs to make peace signs on the lawn. Being creative and making things can be so good for your soul. Just don’t worry about the outcome. Enjoy the process.
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